Strap-on drill paraphernalia holding system and method

#This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/010,519, filed 24 Jan. 1996, and U.S. Provisional Application 60/029,808, filed 25 Oct. 1996.

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention herein pertains to the secure storage of accessories and paraphernalia associated with power tools on a belt. The invention also pertains to the secure storage of elongated items such as toothbrushes, combs, or hair brushes in a travel setting, or such as thermometers, depressors, or other elongated devices in a hospital setting, with the use of a specially designed belt.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention attached to a drill;

#FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment removed from the drill and laid flat;

#FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, belt 10, shown attached to drill 11. Belt 10 comprises strap 25, pad 27, D-ring 14, and double metal loop 13.

#Strap 25 is an adjustable circular strap that may comprise leather, rubber, nylon, plastic, vinyl, hook-and-loop material, or other rugged components. Strap 25 provides a base for pad 27, and can be solid as shown in FIG. 1, or can be perforated to allow air flow through the strap to cool the drill motor. The underside of strap 25 (against drill 11) has non-slip material sewn or otherwise attached. Strap 25 has double D-ring 13, or another fastening device such as a buckle, attached to one end. Strap 25 is passed around drill 11, pulled tight through double D-ring 13, and secured by second hook-and-loop fastener 26. D-ring 14 is attached to strap 25 and allows drill 11 to be hung from a nail, hook or screw for storage in a shop or on the jobsite. Pad 27 is bunched or gathered to define a plurality of sleeves 16 to hold elongated articles 12. Pad 27 is preferably narrower than strap 25, thereby facilitating insertion of elongated articles 12 into sleeves 16.

#FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment removed from drill 11 and laid flat, and FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the preferred embodiment taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2. Pad 27 is affixed to strap 25 by direct sewing, by adhesives, by hook-and-loop fasteners, or by any other secure attachment method. Pad 27 comprises three layers: elastic strap 17, first hook-and-loop ply 18, and second hook-and-loop ply 15. First hook-and-loop ply 18 and second hook-and-loop ply 15 taken as a whole comprise first hook-and-loop fastener 24. Alternatively, strap 25 may be omitted, and second hook-and-loop ply 15 may be used to encircle drill 11.